Crystal Palace has finalized a five-year deal with Israeli winger Anan Khalaili, marking a significant coup for the English Premier League side. The transfer, confirmed over the weekend, involves a reported initial fee of €24.5 million plus potential add-ons, injecting a substantial financial boost into Union Saint-Gilloise’s coffers.
Khalaili, who joined Union Saint-Gilloise from Israeli club Maccabi Haifa in the summer of 2024, quickly established himself as a key player in the Belgian side’s historic 2024-2025 league title triumph—their first in 90 years. His impact continued the following season as he helped secure the Belgian Cup, predominantly operating from the right flank with pace and technical skill that made him a fan favorite at the Park Duden.
The 21-year-old made an immediate impression in European competitions, netting three goals in Union’s maiden UEFA Champions League campaign, including a brace against Marseille and a strike against Atalanta. His tally for the Brussels-based club stood at eight goals in just under 100 appearances. Khalaili also played a pivotal role in lifting the UEFA Super Cup over Club Bruges before taking the field in both legs of the Champions League third-quarter finals against Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, where he contributed to a 3-3 draw. His absence from the season opener—a 5-1 victory over Westerlo—and the return leg against Bodø/Glimt marked a notable shift in the club’s tactical setup.
The move to Crystal Palace follows a failed transfer attempt to Inter Milan earlier this year, where Khalaili was ruled out due to medical concerns. Now, he joins a Crystal Palace side that claimed the UEFA Europa Conference League title the previous season, adding defensive solidity and attacking versatility to the squad.
